Mothering Daughters

Our girl is still in her early childhood years and I love each and every moment of this sweet and innocent age (let's be real...I love most moments of this mostly sweet age!). With that in mind, please don't get me wrong when I say that I am already reading books about her tween years. I am not trying to fast forward time, especially since most days I wish we could keep our girl at the age she is today. Having had the opportunity to work with both "tween" (9-12 years) and "teen" (13-18 years) girls in youth ministry in the past though, I have been thinking more and more about how to prepare in advance to raise our own daughter as she enters into those crucial stages.

I first became familiar with Dannah Gresh's work when I was leading a middle-school girls' study through her "Secret Keeper: The Delicate Power of Modesty" book. This is a MUST READ for tweens, teens and even college-age girls. I also highly recommend that moms read this book well-before their own daughters enter their tweens. It's a fun, quick read and is a book I plan to study together with my daughter when she is older.

The book I have been reading recently by Dannah Gresh is "Six Ways to Keep the Little in Your Girl". While it is targeted towards mothers with tweens, I would recommend that moms get an advanced start and read it even before their girls are close to that age group. It has challenged me to consider how we raise our own daughter, from the types of toys she has, to how many toys, to how to truly connect in our mother-daughter relationship. It has also given me ideas for fun activities and experiences that we can share together. I originally checked out the book from the library but just ordered my own copy to reference over the upcoming years.

For now, while I will continue to try to equip myself to parent through the stages to come, I am recognizing more and more how fast children grow. I am going to continue to savor every moment as the mother of a young girl. I am excited to share in the journey of watching our precious daughter grow into a young woman but sure wouldn't mind if the clock could stand still once in awhile.

(For more on Dannah Gresh and resources on raising girls, modesty and purity, check out http://www.purefreedom.org/)

The Power of Parenting: Part 4

Now for the final installment (or at least until I have more opinions to share on the matter). If you haven't already, you may want to check out Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 before reading this post.

Just to recap, I believe the greatest gift we can give our children is true knowledge and understanding of Jesus. That only comes as we first focus on our own relationship with God and allow the Holy Spirit to work through us. The next gift that will truly bless our children is a strong, Christ-centered relationship with our spouse. A child whose parents are committed to and supportive of one another has a real-life model of Christ’s love for the Church.

While there are infinite other gifts that we can and should be bestowing on our children, for the sake of wrapping up this “discussion” I am going to propose that the final gift in this series be to take seriously the Power of Parenting role, in spite of our weaknesses.

I’m not about to tackle the debate about appropriate disciplinary techniques here; all families and children are different and I do not think there is one cookie-cutter approach to address every scenario. That said, I do believe that there are at least five areas that we can all focus on, regardless of the age of our kiddos or our parenting styles:

• Set Boundaries. Kids need boundaries to feel secure. They need parents who will teach them right from wrong. They need encouraged for doing well and appropriate discipline when they push the limits. When they are young, they need to understand that their parents love them and at the same time, have been given a position of authority over them. God willing, when they are older the relationship will grow more and more to reflect deep respect and friendship.

• Consistently Follow-through & Honor Your Word. If you say yes or make a commitment, follow-through and honor your word. If you say no, stick to it (but don’t just say no to say no). Be consistent in your discipline practices; if you discipline your child for a certain behavior one time, don’t ignore the same behavior another time. If you ask your child to do something, don’t just give in if they don’t comply. Make sure they understand that there are consequences of not listening (they will certainly learn later in life that there are always consequences when we don’t listen to God!).

• Share Love & Grace Regularly. Shower your child regularly with words and actions that show love and grace. The words “I love you” should be frequently heard in our households. Let us not rob our children of love and security with our tempers, harsh voices, impatience or unkind words. Don't expect perfection (from them or from yourself!). Be willing to humble yourself in front of your child and say "I'm sorry" and "Will you forgive me?" when you've messed up. Forgive so you too will be forgiven.

• Enjoy Them Thoroughly. We should take joy in our children while they are young. Don’t wish that they’d grow up. They will…too soon. Don’t look back and regret that you didn’t take the opportunity to enjoy this time, regardless of the trials. Life and youth is fleeting, enjoy the time you have with your children…even with all the craziness, Play-Doh on the floor, sleepless nights, sibling spats, and tantrums!

• Pray. Pray. Pray. Just like we should be praying for our marriage relationships, it is critical that we spend time on our knees daily for our children. Pray first and foremost for their relationship with Christ. Pray for wisdom in parenting. Pray for your relationship with them. Pray for their future spouses and families. Pray for protection…pray, pray, pray!

I recognize that none of these are new ideas. No matter what parenting book you pick up, you are likely to see similar reminders throughout the pages. Unfortunately, we don’t always put into action what we know in our heads and hearts. I wish I could say that I’m always patient with our Little Miss or that I’m always thankful for the toys on the floor or the endless “why? why? why?” questions. Truth be told, while I hands-down love being a mom more than anything, there are certainly days where I’m moody, impatient and ungrateful. I like to think that the room for improvement means that there’s more opportunity for Jesus to work out His grace through me (and I certainly give Him ample opportunity!).

As Jesus reminded Paul in his struggles, “…My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Paul then chose to “boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”(2 Corinthians 12:9-10).

God’s grace covers all of our weaknesses. Every. Last. One. When you are feeling weak or lacking as you relate with your children this week, take a moment to thank God for the trial and His ability to work in spite of yourself.

The Power of Parenting: Part 3

**If you've not already done so, consider reading Part 1 and Part 2 before continuing...then you can decide if you want to keep reading!**

With knowledge of Jesus as the most important gift we can give our children, I'm proposing that the next gift be a strong marital relationship with our spouse. Having grown up in a broken home, I’m convinced this is true.

As parents of young children, it’s so easy to get consumed by our kiddo’s needs and schedule (I can only imagine that it just gets even tougher as they become teenagers and have more activities outside of the home!). We try to do the right thing by putting our children first, which is a great but can leave us feeling energy-depleted. In our exhaustion, our marriages often take the back-burner and we seem to forget the importance of communication, romance and intimacy in our relationship. Men have a tendency to clamor into their caves while women exercise the “not tonight Dear” excuse far too often. I’m certain that Satan enjoys watching our marriages go into “cruise control” mode.

Our relationship with our spouse serves as a picture of Christ’s relationship with His people. A child whose parents are committed to and supportive of one another has a real-life model of Christ’s love for the Church. They get to see unconditional and unfailing love in action. Regardless of the trials and struggles, our children should be able to feel the security of their family unit.

Whether you are a Christian or not, don’t think that your marriage isn’t vulnerable to Satan. He’ll find a way to cause a rift if you let him. Never think you are above any sort of temptation. You are not. Protect your marriage. How do we go about this practically speaking? Just a few things that come to my mind are:

• Respect and support your spouse. Use words that build each other up rather than tear down. Try as you might to not undermine your spouse in front of your child. Gently rebuke each other (in a godly way), in private, when necessary. Be the first to say “I’m sorry”. Don’t always tell the other what to do or how to do it. Give each other the grace to make mistakes. Forgive…over…and over… and over.

• Do not yell. I’m a firm believer that yelling should not be tolerated at all (and that’s a hard one for me because my voice automatically tends to rise when I’m upset!). No yelling in anger at your spouse and no yelling in anger at your children.

• Make intimacy a priority. Don't be shy, if you’re a parent, you’ve done “it” at least as many times as you have children! Now that you have children, you're tired and worn out when you crawl into bed and most often, all you want to do is sleep! Regardless, there are times that you need to just get over yourself and focus on your spouse. I’m convinced that physical intimacy is necessary in a lasting marriage; if they aren’t getting it from you, Satan will tempt them in other ways.

• Set aside quality alone time with each other. This can be after your kiddos go to bed, during regular “date nights” or special getaways. Take the time to just “be” together; talk, share openly, listen and enjoy fun activities together.

• Pray. Pray. Pray. For your spouse. For your marriage. For protection. For “as long as we both shall live.”

For the sake of keeping it real, let’s not pretend that the Wagners have all this down. Mr. Wagner and I would be the first to tell you that we have greatly struggled with dating…we enjoy spending time together as a family and this has not been a priority for us. As far as being kind to one another, should I mention the multiple times just this week that Mr. Wagner has had to tolerate my infamous annoyed tone of voice or “the look”? All this to say, we try but the bottom-line is that we are so thankful to know the grace of God covers our transgressions!

Based on your experience and understanding, what are some other practical things we can all do to protect our marriages and make sure that we are keeping our relationship with our spouse a priority?

The Power of Parenting: Part 2

**Please make sure to read The Power of Parenting: Part 1 (Disclaimer) before cautiously proceeding to this section**

The Power of Parenting refers not to holding power over a child but rather the special ability we have to "influence" our children (good or bad) for the rest of their lives. The moment we become parents, God gives us the power and major responsibility of protecting and molding our child’s spirit. This God-given power grants us the ability to build-up or destroy, to point towards God or scoot within Satan’s reach, to cover in love or bruise with anger. Hands down, being a parent is the most important role we will ever play in our lives. It is a power to be handled delicately with care, to be honored and not taken for granted.

Considering the significance of parenting and the power we have to influence our children and their future, I truly believe that the most important gift we can ever give a child is personal knowledge of Jesus. How do we practically go about this? God shares the answer when He tells the Israelites,

“You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” (Deuteronomy 6:5-9).

In order to help foster our children's personal knowlege of Jesus, we must ourselves first love the Lord with all of our being. We must cherish our own time alone with God and then we must commit to diligently teaching our children the truth of Christ. It is not to just be left up to their Sunday School teacher or the Children’s Pastor. Finally, we must make Jesus and his teachings a part of our daily lives and interaction, incorporating Him into all that we are doing and sharing with our children. We must dedicate our homes to boldly sharing the Good News.

If you're like me right now, you're thinking that this is all easier said than done. Does carrying the weight of your child’s relationship with Jesus seem like a heavy load? Absolutely, because it is! However, the best news yet is that God does not ask us to bear that burden on our own. In fact, it is in spite of ourselves and our own individual failings. For those who choose to dedicate their lives and children to Him, He’s given the power of His Holy Spirit. While our actions and influence certainly matters, ultimately our child's relationship with Christ is not by our works but by His.

This week, when you’re struggling to love all aspects of being a parent or are wondering how to guide your children in the ways of the Lord...stop…pray…listen…and remember, you’re not in it alone!

The Power of Parenting: Part 1

At this stage of my life, the most frequent topic that my conversations tend to cover involves parenting. The Good. The Bad. And The Ugly. Whether it’s Mr. Wagner and I discussing our parenting approach, listening to friends talk about their children, or being asked by new parents what we would do in a situation, many of our conversations are about being a mom or dad…and I would not trade it for the world.

Let me be the first to say that I am a complete novice at this parenting thing. I am currently a first-time-only-one-child-parent. I have been in this role a mere three years and the only teenage years that I have waded through have been my own. I haven’t read a plethora of parenting books; while I have read a few (and have several started-yet-unfinished), my book of choice is the Bible. I’m in a “learn as I go” mode and have a lot more learning to do. I do not profess to be a subject-matter expert in the child-rearing field.

With that disclaimer in mind, I have had it on my heart to share some of my thoughts if only to give even an ounce of encouragement to any mom or dad out there. I don’t know how many posts there will be in total, but with the "Power of Parenting" as our theme, I will try to share on the topic at least a few times throughout the week...stay tuned!

Happy 3rd Birthday Miracle Girl!

Our Little Miss officially turned the big THREE today! We recognize how blessed we are to have our sweet "Miracle Girl" and have no doubt that God has amazing plans in store for her. In some ways it seems like just yesterday that she was our teeny, tiny 2.5 pound baby. In reality, our "baby" has turned into a little girl.

(Photo courtesy of Wally Curtis; cake by Jessicakes; dress created by Joani)

We celebrated this past weekend with a party for family (including all of our "adopted" family members) in the area. She had a terrific time with everyone and only wishes her birthday could last longer. Little Miss looked adorable in the darling flower dress that our friend Joani made for her. Thanks Joani!

I'd like to say that I made her spectacular birthday cake but you are far too smart to fall for that bluff dear Readers! In truth, a friend from college (Jessica @ Jessicakes) honored us with the incredible garden-themed cake. You can read more about her creation here. It's extra special because Jessica is also the infamous photographer behind the first pictures of the Little Miss when she was just a few days old. Thanks Jessica!

(Photo courtesy of Jessica Harris)

Our teeny, tiny preemie has officially grown into a healthy, thriving, amazing little girl. Thank you Jesus!!!

Little Miss Independent

Turning three years-old seems to have changed our Little Miss almost overnight into "Miss Independent". It first hit Yours Truly last week when I took her "big girl" gymnastics. We've had her enrolled in a parent-child class since last Spring which allowed us to participate with her. As a three year-old, she "graduated" to a class with just the other kiddos and a teacher. The parents are relegated to a viewing area. The teacher told me that the transition may be hard at first and could take several weeks so I was prepared for the worst. I was wrong. Our Little Miss, the one who typically likes to be held during the warm-up session, just took hold of the teacher's hand and walked right in, sans mommy. I got a bit choked up as I was left to watch from afar. I was the proudest parent there while also being hit with the realization that our girl is truly growing up.

The next independent streak came today when the Little Miss insisted over and over that she get to ride Lucky "all by myself". While she's ridden the big guy numerous times, it's always been with me holding her securely as we ride along together. That was not to be today. We took Papa and Mimie out to the barn with us and they got to witness our girl's first "solo" ride. We started off with her just sitting on Lucky while he was tied up:

I was going to leave it at just sitting but she declared that she really wanted to "walk" too. Our brave girl is now ready for her first official "Lead Line" class at a horse show!

What an amazing blessing to get to witness our girl learning to ride on the very same horse I learned on 24 years ago! Not to mention it being extra special to have her Papa there with us, after all the years and years he spent watching and supporting me with Lucky.

Dear Mr. Wagner is feeling anxious because there's now no doubt that there's another horse-lover in this family!

New 'Do

Little Miss got her first official haircut at a salon yesterday. While I've trimmed her hair a few times over the years, I finally decided it was time to get her a real 'do from someone who actually knows what they are doing.

Our girl sat so still in the chair and was very brave. She did a great job while the beautician combed out her tangles. A few minutes into the cut, I could see tears welling up in her eyes so we took a quick break, she got mommy hugs and even better, a HUGE lollipop treat from the ladies at the salon. The smile was immediately back in place!

Several stylists had fun with her curls. Which reminds me of a silly question I was asked the other day. A lady asked me if our girl's hair was permed. Seriously? What almost three year-old would sit still long enough to have her hair permed?!

A Weekend In Review

Mr. Wagner woke up more than slightly green in the gills on Friday so we started our weekend with an urgent visit to the doctor’s office. The doctor ordered rest and Gatorade and told him the burrito (and subsequent food poisoning) he had ingested the day prior would soon pass.

Saturday morning brought with it a full recovery so Mr. Wagner, Little Miss and Yours Truly headed to visit the family member we ban to the barn. Lucky was ecstatic to see us (after he was haltered and pulled away from his beloved grassy breakfast) and patiently allowed the Little Miss a gentle ride.

Later in the day, while the Little Miss was in dreamland enjoying an afternoon snooze, Yours Truly headed out of doors to partake in the special talent that most women share (i.e., shop). Gifts needed to be bought for a long awaited wedding, and party supplies were purchased for the upcoming celebration of our girl’s birthday.

With a seat full of bags as proof of a successful outing, Yours Truly drove home enjoying the power of her dearest Mr. Wagner’s “man truck”. After a downward glance, less than a mile from home, Yours Truly realized that she was speeding and started to slow. Flashing lights and a short stop later, Yours Truly was given a warning and graciously thanked Mr. Nice Officer (having a clean driving record appears to have been the saving grace).

Sunday brought with it speedy repentance and a joyful morning of celebrating our Savior. Pastor Rob exhorted us all with the reminder that “children are a heritage [gift] from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward” (Psalm 127). This Mr. and Mrs. Wagner are not soon to forget as our Little Miss made sure to remind us with her extraordinary debut. At that time, we knew we were blessed with a miracle but oh how much more we now know, the real miracle is our girl’s sweetness and gentle soul.

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there and most especially, to our own Mr. Wagner. The Little Miss and Yours Truly are So. Very. Blessed.

Mr. Wagner, you are an incredible father and have been from the very beginning. From mastering your first diaper change (you deserve extra credit points for having to do it through an incubator)...

...you have always jumped right in and helped with everything as we parent our sweet girl together. You love and protect your "Daddy's girl" like no other.

You even let our girly-girl do your hair and are in fact playing tea with her as I write this. Don't worry my dearest Mr. Wagner, your girl is sure to love tractors and will always enjoy great outdoor adventures with you.

Mr. Wagner, you are the best. The Little Miss and I are so thankful that you are a Father who truly reflects our Heavenly Father. We love you!

The Gift of Motherhood

I absolutely love being a mother. I am blessed every day by the best job in the whole world. No matter the low-paying salary or the lack of accolades, it’s hands down the best honor that a woman could ever ask for.

Unlike most moms, I can’t say that I remember my daughter’s birth or the labor pains (considering I wasn’t actually awake for her birth or the first 30 hours of her life). I often feel out of place around women who are talking about their childbirth experiences because I totally cannot relate. I used to leave situations like that feeling inadequate as a woman and a mother.

Thankfully I’ve discovered that motherhood is not solely defined by sharing your birth canal. Please don’t get me wrong. I have huge admiration for every woman who has ever experienced labor. HUGE. However, to get to the place of accepting that I wasn’t (consciously) there when the Little Miss was born and to not feel guilty by the fact that I didn’t even see her until she was 3 days old, my views of true motherhood had to change.

I’ve learned that women aren’t automatically given a “good mother” award the moment their first child is born. It’s not a onetime stamp-of-approval and isn’t completely due to instinct. This award can only come with time, trials, practice, and the knowledge that it will be tested again and again. Even then, being “good” is not good enough.

I hope I reflect the ways of a good mom. More so however, I pray that I will become a “godly” mother. Not by my strength but His, I pray that Jesus will make me into a Proverbs 31 sort of mom. I pray that the light of Christ will shine through me and that strength and honor will surround me. I pray that my words will be full of wisdom and kindness and that I will care for the needs of my family and provide for them daily. I pray that someday:

“Her children will rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her”…”Charm is deceitful and beautify is passing but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.” (Prov 31:28-30)

Have I yet attained this? Not. even. close. It will take the rest of my life for Jesus to transform me into a Proverbs 31 wife and mother. I will continue to praise Him for His grace every time I fail to live up to the standard. I will always be so thankful for the gift of motherhood.

Happy Mother’s Day to all you moms, moms-to-be, and like-moms-to-so-many out there!

Family Fun

My birthday wish this year was to have a fun family outing. We started the day off right with a latte from Starbucks (for me) and delicious bagels from our local bagel shop. Next, we headed to the PDX area to take our Little Miss to The Children's Museum. She was ecstatic from the moment we entered the doors. Her parents on the other hand were slightly over-whelmed by how (crazy!) busy it was and decided that we'll aim for a weekday the next time we visit. Regardless of the zillions of little people and parents trying to keep track of them, it was worth the trip.

Our next stop consisted of lunch at The Cheesecake Factory (they serve a favorite of mine, Thai Salad Lettuce Wraps). I then took the opportunity to do a little shopping while at the mall, knowing the "can't say no because it's your birthday" advantage would quickly be gone (thus, the next time I'd be able to coerce Mr. Wagner to join in a shopping trip would be a year away). Thanks for being patient Honey!

We headed home after that and my BEST birthday present was yet to come. Our girl successfully stayed dry all day and willingly "went" in public restrooms while we were in PDX. When we got home, she "presented" me with a Big Movement in the potty! That alone made my day (when you get to be my age, you're easy to please)!

P.S. I promise, Dear Readers, to now officially "retire" from potty training posts. We'll "move" on...

You Deserve A (Potty) Break Today

What do two girls do after spending nearly 4 days straight locked in the confines of our home? They escape to eat ice cream!

The Little Miss and I really needed a break from potty training so we had a fun date at the ice cream parlor. We (I rather) felt much more refreshed after the short outing. Now, back to the extra loads of laundry we are "getting" to do these days. Who ever said this would be easy?

By the way, does anyone know a good carpet cleaning service? I think we may need it by the time we're done.

There's Just Something About It

There's just something captivating and soul-stirring about a daddy singing songs with his little girl as she gets ready for bed. Talk about melting a woman's heart as she listens to her two favorite superstars! American Idol may not be ready for "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" or "Jesus Loves Me" renditions but what do they know? My oh my how I love thee.

Like Mother, Like Daughter

My parents would tell you that I wasn't the most graceful child....Hmmm, I guess this is proof that the Little Miss really is my daughter. You should have seen the poor table.

Birthday Letter 2008

Dear Little Miss,

Today you turn 2 years-old, happy birthday beautiful girl! No matter what they say about the “terrible twos”, you are an absolute joy to both your Daddy and I. You still have the same sweet, gentle spirit that’s been evident since you were born. In many ways, I'd like to bottle you up and keep you at this age!

My Child, every day is a blessing with you. I love to wake up to your smiling face. I love that you are a “Daddy’s girl” through and through. I love your sweet smile, dimple and dark curly hair. I love watching your social and "girly" personality develop. I love the sound of your voice and am so excited by the new words you are speaking every day. Most of all, I love that you are a reminder about how much Jesus loves us. You are beyond our wildest dreams and are better than any gift we could have imagined.

You will always be our “Miracle Girl”. Satan may have wanted to take you the day you were born but Jesus intervened. He has an incredible plan for your life. I don’t know exactly what that looks like but I know without a doubt that God's created you for something very, very, special.

I pray regularly for you and believe that's my calling as your mom. I'm asking Him to make you into a woman who seeks Jesus first. I pray that He'll give you much love and joy in your life. I'm also praying that He will give you spiritual gifts of:

1. Faithfulness (“For we walk by faith, not by sight,” 2 Corn 5:7; “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths,” Prov 3:5-6),
2. Compassion (“Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world,” James 1:27),
3. Kindness (“..Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those to spitefully use you...Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.” (Luke 6:27-31).

Finally, the verse God laid on my heart for you this year is: “Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying “This is the way, walk in it,”” (Isaiah 30:21). May your ears always be attuned to the voice of Jesus and your feet ready to walk the path He has prepared for you.

I love you my Little Miss!

Mom

P.S. I’m hoping to start a tradition with this letter. The goal is to write each year on your birthday to share a glimpse of why you are so special and to let you know what God has been laying on my heart specifically for you.

We're Home!

Happy Mother’s Day!!! to our own moms and all the other moms out there. We hope your day has been blessed. Mine sure was. Mr. Wagner was patient enough to let me wander IKEA (A very selfless act considering his “I-will-not-stop-unless-it’s-absolutely-necessary” syndrome that rears its head every time we travel. Did I mention that we’d just left the airport after a 4 ½ hour flight and we still had a long drive home ahead of us? What a gentleman!).

Speaking of the airport, we just returned from the Midwest where we visited Mr. Wagner's side of our family. Our trip started out rocky with a cancelled flight and several flight delays. However after being re-routed through another airport and an overnight drive, we arrived at Grandma and Grandpa Wagner’s safely.

After our arrival, we had a great time and already miss everyone. It was so fun to watch the little cousins playing together and also giggling with their grandparents and aunts/uncles. We loved seeing how our nieces have changed over the past year and were excited to meet our first nephew. Visiting with the extended family is such an honor because they have very strong family ties and a long history of deep faith. I couldn't help but think time and time again how thankful I am to be joined to this family and to be able to raise our Little Miss with this lineage. Our visit was too short to spend time with everyone so we are already looking forward to the next time!

Here are a few pictures from our journey:

The girl cousins

Playing with Grandma and Cousin Owen while giving Grandpa "the look"

Catching balloons with Grandpa

Giving Jess hugs

Visiting Aunt Donna

A Mother's Anxious Heart

I sure am thankful that God knows so much more than we do. Being a news junkie hasn't served me well in the past couple of days. If you've read a newspaper or watched the news recently you've probably heard about the latest study that reveals additional risks preemies face, including increased mortality rates in childhood and even into adolescence.

As the mom of a former preemie, these reports sure do make it difficult to keep a quiet heart. I can only imagine how hard it is on parents whose babies are still in the NICU. Preemie parents are overwhelmed enough when they learn about all the risks that exist just in their baby's first few months of life.

Don't get me wrong, I am thankful for modern science (most of it anyways) and really am thankful for this study. I welcome every opportunity for us to learn more about premature birth. I am even thankful for all the media attention because it helps keep the general public informed.

I'm just not thankful for the extra worry that can result. From the moment of conception, all parents struggle with anxiety over their child's health and well-being. The ongoing struggle with an anxious heart is a key responsibility included in every parent's job description. We certainly don't need yet another reason to worry.

Am I worried? Absolutely. However, I'm going to choose to turn this anxiety over to my Rock. I'm learning that for all moms and dads, it's a choice we have to make every hour of every day: "Live in fear" or "lift your burdens and concerns to the Lord". My arms are the weakest part of my body but I'm going to use all the muscle power I have to lift! And praise the Lord that when I don't have the strength, Jesus does.


"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Phil 4:6-7)